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Rachel Buehler Named Pac-10 Player of the Week

Walnut Creek, Calif. - Cardinal senior Rachel Buehler has been named the Pacific-10 Player of the Week, as announced by Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen earlier today. The defender helped Stanford shutout its third-straight pair of opponents this weekend and scored the game-winner to lift the Cardinal to victory over the Oregon Ducks on Sunday.

On Friday night, Buehler was key to the Stanford back line that allowed Oregon State just three shots and none in the second half in a 2-0 shutout win. On Sunday, Buehler not only made the difference on defense for the Cardinal, helping blank formerly unbeaten Oregon, but scored the game-winner in the 64th minute to lead the Cardinal to a 1-0 win. Teammate Hillary Heath served the ball to Buehler on a corner kick, and the senior sent a header to the back of the net for her first goal of the season and the third of her career. Buehler has been the anchor of the Stanford defense this season, which has posted 13 shutouts and held 15 opponents to two shots on goal or less.

Stanford's win over Oregon propelled the Cardinal (6-1-1) past the Ducks (4-1-2) into second place in the Pac-10. The Cardinal defense ranks 21st in the nation in goals- against average (.572) and is tied for 10th in shutout percentage (.68).

This is the second Player of the Week honor for Buehler, who won the only award of 2005 for the Cardinal on Oct. 4. It is the 19th all-time honor for Stanford, and the fourth this season alone. Stanford has won more all-time weekly honors than any school in the Pac-10, and has been honored this season more times than any other year in history.

Stanford finishes the regular-season at Cal this weekend, looking to clinch second place in the Pac-10. Kickoff between the Cardinal and the Golden Bears is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday at Edwards Stadium/Goldman Field in Berkeley.